PR and Media

Release on PPAI Publications 

Jae M. Rang, MAS, is on a mission to inspire more demand for promotional products by focusing on their interactive nature in creating memorable brand experiences. Rang, chief inspiring officer of Oakville, Ontario-based distributor JAE Associates Ltd. (UPIC: J561178), has captured years of study on the mind and human behavior relating to promotional material in her new book,Sensory Media: Discover the way to anchor your brand and be memorable.

“Promotional products are often trivialized as media,” she says. “The reality is promotional products are a very human form of media. We’re sensory beings―we see, hear, smell, taste, touch―so ‘sensory media’ aligns so well with us. The products, as well as the messaging, represent the brand and are interactive in nature making them very impressionable. When marketers understand the significance of our media, they use it in more strategic, meaningful ways.”

Rang has been speaking about the concept of promotional products as “sensory media” for several years and, whether it’s to a group of college students or business professionals, she says her approach causes listeners to take a second, more serious look at the opportunities sensory media affords them in anchoring their brand and being memorable.

The book is a platform to educate buyers, students and new members of the industry about the promotional opportunities, she says, but it leaves the real work to the professionals—the providers of promotional products. “It’s more of a ‘why,’ delving into the reasons behind why this human media is so effective. It teaches some principles like developing promotional programs around a defined purpose, the Law of Reciprocity and building relationships, to name a few. Since the book is meant as a tool, not a textbook, I kept it simple and conversational, stated some important principles, and told some stories. I hope it contributes to enhancing our industry.”

Four industry companies are sponsoring the book: BIC Graphic, Debco Bag, Faro Industries and Chocolate Chocolate. The book launch is May 12; order it at SENSORYMEDIA.ca. Those who purchase the book within 24 hours are eligible to receive additional gifts with purchase worth up to $500.

Born as a direct-mail house in 1980, JAE Associates Ltd. is now a full-service promotional marketing agency helping business leaders around the globe build relationships. Rang has won a number of national Image awards for creative campaigns, is past chair of the Promotional Product Professionals of Canada (PPPC), chair of the PPPC Scholarship program, 2011 inductee in the PPPC Hall of Fame, 2014 recipient of the PPPC Humanitarian Award and a 2015 judge for Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) and most importantly, William’s mom.

Jae, the Chief Inspiring Officer of Oakville based promotional marketing firm Great Canadian Promotions, was introduced to the 850 member audience with the words, “The person needs no introduction”.   Jae is not only a true champion of the industry, serving on both regional and national boards, and chairing the PPPC Scholarship committee, she also extends her love and care to charities and community initiatives locally, nationally and abroad.

‘It’s a way of life” says Ms. Rang.  “So many of my closest relationships, developed over the years, were through board and committee work.   In addition, a number of our customers are charities and not-for-profits – like the Oakville Hospital Foundation and the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre – and it gives us such pleasure to lend both our expertise and time in a way that helps us grow together.”

The Humanitarian Award is given by the PPPC to an individual who displays ongoing selfless, efforts to grow their community.  The PPPC describes Jae in a word, “Giving”.

Great Canadian Promotions is a division of JAE associates Ltd., a full-service promotional marketing firm, established in 1980.  Jae M. Rang, MAS is the Founder and Chief Inspiring Officer.

Jae is grateful to her colleague M. Gabriella Morfesis for the nomination and the overwhelming support from the PPPC, her many charitable partners, colleagues, friends and family.

“This diverse group of leaders, of which the GTA group is comprised, is a perfect fit for us.  I believe WPO is right on the money with their programs, especially in these opportunistic times.” explains Ms. Rang.

JAE associates Ltd., an Oakville based promotional marketing agency, recently celebrating 29 years of success in six countries.  The JAE mission is about succeeding deliberately; Inspiring Results on Purpose®

“Women entrepreneurs are a fast growing segment in Canada and we are extremely proud to be growing our Canadian chapters. One of our core differentiators is that each chapter is professionally facilitated by a chapter chair whose job it is to bring the genius out of the group.” said Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., president and founder of the WPO.

WPO brings together a select group of motivated, successful, entrepreneurial women, who have guided their businesses to generate at least $2 million in annual revenue, into a dynamic forum whereby they can harness the momentum of their successes and serve one another as a peer advisory group.  As a result, members exceed performance expectations for their business. 

The goal of accelerating growth and enhancing competitiveness supports WPO’s mission of increased economic security for women-led and women-owned private enterprises.

For more information see www.jaeassociates.com  and www.womenpresidentsorg.com

Toronto Hilton was home of the red carpet event to celebrate the CEO of JAE associates Ltd., in conjunction with the PPPC annual member conference.

“So many nominees, but only one clear choice this year”, says Susan Heslop Chair of the PPPC Hall of Fame Committee. “Jae’s long list of accomplishments, her unprecedented hours of volunteerism and her positive spirit made her a natural for the prestigious honour of being the 4^th woman inducted into the Hall of Fame”.

Rang’s leading-edge approach to strategic communications has earned her eight PPPC Image Awards to date for creative, results-oriented programs for clients in Canada, the U.S. and Bermuda.

 “I’ve always been committed to advancing the industry through awareness and education.  Our form of media is very powerful because of its one-to-one nature.” comments Rang who terms promotional products, “touch-point communication tools”.

“There is no one more deserving to receive this highly coveted honor that this Association regards as the pinnacle of success - the induction into the PPPC Hall of Fame.”  Says Ed Ahad, President, PPPC. “Jae has always emphasized the importance of recognizing that businesses are made up of individuals… professionals… real people. Her commitment to our Industry and our Association over the years as a member, a volunteer on the Ontario Chapter and Chairperson of the National Board of Directors was second to none.”

The PPPC is a national organization of 1500 member companies and approximately 5000 individual members and is the voice of this $3.9 billion industry in Canada.

Rang’s term as Chair of the PPPC national board in 2007 resulted in several new member programs and services including the rebranding of the association to include the term “professionals” in the name, and the birth of the PPPC Scholarship/Bursary fund to support full-time students pursuing degrees in business, with an emphasis on careers in the promotional product industry.

JAE associates Ltd. started in 1980 as a small direct mail company and has since grown to become a prominent marketing agency in Canada. Rang is a former professional athlete, member of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and proud mom to son William, 17, himself, a budding entrepreneur.

JAE associates Ltd. chose TOPS - the largest promotional product showcase in Canada, September 3^rd – to pop the Two Oceans bubbly.

“If you’re cutting back on promotion then you had better be prepared to cut back on sales.” Says Ms. Jae M. Rang, Founder and Chief Inspiring Officer who lives what she teaches. 

So why celebrate “29” we asked?   “First of all, we refuse to be caught up in a negative recessionary mindset.  We, especially here in Oakville, have so much going for us.  Celebrating a sales increase in a recessionary year is just so appropriate.  Secondly, we didn’t want to wait to celebrate the big 3- 0 – thirty sounds old – we’re not old, we’re established!” 

Established they are.  JAE associates Ltd. is a multiple award-winning promotional marketing firm that excels by  sharing strategies with a diverse client base ranging from P.M.A. Canada, to Colonial Insurance in Bermuda to Butterfield Bank in the Cayman’s.  A host of international clients concur with Pauline Girling of the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre that, “Jae is a true creative partner".  Companies, associations and not-for-profits rely on JAE and her team to create results that put the recession to shame.

On September 3^rd at the International Centre, clients, suppliers, friends and family will join the team of JAE associates Ltd. for a celebration.  The event will include a keynote address by Stefan Denis, CEO of Mandrake Toronto, a passport to the TOPS Promotional Products Showcase, and the launch of JAE’s 2010 charitable initiatives.   

JAE associates started as a direct-mail house then purchased equipment to manufacture award plaques.  While they no longer manufacturer,  Great Canadian Promotions, a division of JAE associates Ltd. has evolved into a full-service promotional communications provider.  

Ms. Rang is a past Chair of the Board for the Promotional Product Professionals of Canada, is a committee member for the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and Chairs the BNI Corporate Catalysts Chapter in Oakville.

For more information on JAE associates Ltd., or how to be a part of this celebratory event, please contact Gabriella Morfesis at 905.829.4743 X225  or visit www.jaeassociates.com 

Please celebrate with us and make it your best year yet!

Where:  Toronto International Centre (Airport Road at Derry), Mississauga, Suite VELA A
(Called TOPS+  Hall 3 entrance)
When:  Thursday, September 3^rd, 2009
AGENDA
8:15 a.m. Welcome & Buffet breakfast
8:45 a.m. “The Mirage at the End of the Tunnel” with Stefan Danis, CEO Mandrake and NexCareer
10:00 a.m. TOPS Promotional Products Showcase PASSPORT
11:30 a.m. “Infinite Potential” with Jae M. Rang, Chief Inspiring Officer, JAE associates Ltd.
Noon:  Official Champagne Toast and Birthday Cake!
12:30 p.m.Buffet Lunch & Draw Prizes
1:00 p.m. TOPS showcase and consultation
3:30 p.m.Suite closes ~ 4:30 Show Closes

Stefan Danis participated in the Gobi March last month – a six-day race which Time Magazine ranks as the second toughest endurance competition in the world – in support of the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS).  Danis, who was the first Canadian to cross the finish line, finished 14th overall,  and exceeded his fundraising goal by 52% … and counting.  Join us as Danis shares his exhilarating experiences and life lessons in this first public keynote since his return.

The National Image Awards competition, as held by the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC.com) recognizes programs that excel in creativity to drive measured results against their objective. In the "Not for Profit" category JAE associates Ltd. took home their 7th Image Award in January of 2009.

"The overall message is that we passionately care for our community with patient well-being and their education uppermost in our minds at all times," states Pauline Girling, Director of Communication and Fundraising for the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC). "We need to work with people who understand our world, and Jae is a true creative partner – imaginative, efficient and always willing to break new ground – she has proven time and again that she knows what makes our clients tick and how to deliver value."

The BCHC is Bermuda's leading voice in the fight against cancer – particularly breast cancer. In their efforts to further their message, increase annual "walk" participation and drive donations, the BCHC discovered a need to creatively combine their message with compelling visuals in tangible take-aways. This is where JAE associates Ltd. was able to apply their expertise.

"Our approach is geared towards helping organizations to communicate in creative, effective ways that generate serious attention and return on objectives." says Jae M. Rang, Chief Inspiring Officer at JAE associates Ltd.

They created a package to entice "walk" participation using pictures from the previous year's walk and featured the sponsor as a supportive partner in conjunction with the "Every Step Counts" theme of the BCHC event. Participants received an environmental tote bag with a branded umbrella, T-shirt and lapel pin that also carried the "Every Step Counts" message. A permanent marker was included so participants could have other walkers autograph their T-shirt making it a commemorative piece. The enhancement card with the lapel pin reiterated the prevention and care steps crucial in the BCHC's ongoing message.

"Typically walkers pay $30 for their kit and enjoy the walk and their goodies. This year, we thought we'd make it more of an engaging experience by including a "Take the $250 Challenge" to raise the average donation from $30 to $250" says Jae.

In keeping with their mission – "Inspiring Results on Purpose" – JAE associates Ltd. was able to help BCHC raise significant awareness in addition to increasing event participation by 37% and boosting the average donation from $30 - $250 by almost 5% of the walkers.

For further information contact:

Jae M. Rang
Great Canadian Promotions, div. JAE associates Ltd.
Tel: 905.829.4743 x221

In conjunction with the Amarula brand team at P.M.A. Canada, Great Canadian Promotions created an Amarula flavoured lip butter which was served by wait staff in bars and clubs in the GTA during a special 8 month, 50 event promotion in 2007. The Image Awards judges representing the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada recognized the triple digit sales increases as proof that Amarula was on everybody's lips.

"These little pots of lip butter are a great way to create an interactive, experiential link with Amarula and are the perfect gift for the influential urban audience." Says Jae M. Rang, MAS, CEO and Founder of Great Canadian Promotions, a division of JAE associates Ltd.

This is the 5th Image Award received by Great Canadian Promotions for generating creative and strategic solutions to marketing objectives. Jae M. Rang, MAS, is also the Past Chair of the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada, which serves more than 1600 member companies across Canada. The Image Awards show is held in conjunction with the national conference held in January each year.

Amarula lip butters will soon be available in additional markets in Canada. Great Canadian Promotions enjoys an enthusiastic relationship with P.M.A. Canada and together plan to continue to increase the number of Amarula customers across the country.

JAE associates Ltd. – Inspiring Results on Purpose™ was established February 29th, 1980 and is a full service promotional agency specializing in strategic communications employing promotional products.

The new branded design, a one-piece fashionable polo in a high technical fabric is comfortable in the extreme heat and professional looking for runway personnel. Combing "high-visibility green" and "aviation blue" colours with high candle power 3M striping not only met safety and comfort standards, also GOLD standard to the Image Awards judges.

"Previously it took at least two uniform pieces to meet the required standard and invariably the most important piece – the reflective vest or belt – was left in the locker room or lost. The new design eliminates that possibility." submits Gene Bean, President, BAS Group of Companies.

This is the 6th Image Award received by Great Canadian Promotions - a division of JAE associates Ltd. - for generating creative and strategic solutions to marketing objectives for clients in 6 countries. Jae M. Rang, MAS, is also the Past Chair of the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada, which serves more than 1600 member companies across Canada. The Image Awards show is held in conjunction with the national conference in January each year.

JAE associates Ltd. – Inspiring Results on Purpose™ was established February 29th, 1980 and is a full service promotional agency specializing in strategic communications employing promotional products. For further information contact Jae M. Rang, CEO at 905.829.4743 X221